Marc Marquez believes the use of winglets in MotoGP is making overtaking more difficult.

When asked about the lack of overtaking at the front in the second part of the races so far this season, the Repsol Honda star cited a lack of experience on the Michelin tyres plus the downforce-reducing turbulence when following another rider.

“It's difficult to say, but I think it's many things,” replied the double world champion. “First we are still trying to understand the tyres. It's difficult to manage all the race in a good pace because you don't know when [the grip] will drop.

“And another thing, I think the wings don't help for the show, for the overtakes. This also can be a good reason because now it starts to be kind of Formula 1. When you take the slipstream you don't have the downforce, then you have more wheelie so it's more difficult to overtake.”

MotoGP is currently debating the future of winglets due to concerns over safety and cost, while Marquez has been seen running Honda's unique six-winglet layout during this weekend's French round.

All five manufacturers have had winglets available since the previous Jerez round.

The 2016 title leader was speaking after qualifying second at Le Mans, albeit with his best lap a worrying 0.441s behind Jorge Lorenzo in qualifying.

“Of course I would like to be closer to Jorge but today it was impossible. The main target was try to finish in the front row. We get it so I'm happy for this. We know that in this circuit we are struggling a lot. So tomorrow will be a tough race because are many, many riders in a similar place, both Ducatis, Valentino. But we will see. We will try to do our best. We will try to do a good start and let's see if Lorenzo doesn't feel like today and we can follow him a minimum for some laps”

The Repsol star is the only rider to have claimed more than a single race win this season, tasting victory in both Argentina and Austin.

Podiums in the other two rounds have helped Marquez build a 17-point lead over Lorenzo and 24-point advantage over Valentino Rossi - despite the RCV suffering from an ironic mix of aggressiveness and lack of acceleration.

“No, it's not an easy bike," Marquez confirmed. "We are working hard for try to improve our acceleration, but we are losing a lot. In some circuits I'm able to recover in some points but here it looks like Jorge is riding really good and I'm not able to recover.

"So what I lose in the acceleration, it's impossible to win again. But anyway we are working hard. We are trying to take our 100% with our bike. I think today we did it. Tomorrow we will try to follow same way and try to finish on the podium.”

Marquez finished fourth at Le Mans last season, having battled front tyre issues and a sustained attack from Andrea Iannone.

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